Iowa State collected its frustrations over a close loss to Kansas on Monday and took them out on No. 20 Ole Miss in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday. 

The Cyclones put together an offensive clinic and pulled away from the Rebels in the second half, winning 87-73 and moving to 15-5 on the season. 

Here’s what we learned from the Cyclones’ big win in Oxford, Mississippi.

Cyclones’ offense goes full *fire emoji*

Holy smokes, Iowa State.

The Cyclones went for a four-minute stretch against Kansas without scoring a single point, tanking an otherwise solid offensive performance against a good Jayhawk defense.

Against Ole Miss, the offense took another step forward. Iowa State shot 69.1 percent from the floor, including a 77 percent mark in the second half. The Cyclones’ offensive efficiency was exemplified by the fact that only one player (Zoran Talley, who went 0-for-1) shot less than 50 percent from the floor. Iowa State got to the rim with ease, scoring 46 points in the paint and assisting on 26 of its 38 baskets.

It didn’t matter that the Cyclones shot four free throws all game because they shot so lights out. 

Obviously, the Cyclones won’t do this every game. It’s unsustainable, and the Cyclones will no doubt play much better defenses than the Rebels’ unit. But, it should be an encouraging sign for coach Steve Prohm that the Cyclones bounced back from a tough loss by coming out firing on all cylinders.

Tons of turnovers

Despite all of the offensive efficiency shooting the ball, the Cyclones were pretty proficient at turning the ball over as well. Iowa State had 10 first half giveaways, one of the main reasons Ole Miss was within five points at the half in spite of 62 percent shooting from the Cyclones.

The pace of the game was rapid, with both teams trying to get up the floor and score as quickly as possible, and that contributed to the Cyclones’ sometimes chaotic passing. 

Over the 40 minutes, the Cyclones coughed it up 19 times (including team turnovers) to eight for the Rebels. The Cyclones have been smart with the ball for most of the season, averaging 11 turnovers per contest. But over the past two games, the Cyclones have turned the ball over 33 times. 

That’s not a trend the Cyclones want to continue deep into conference play.

Another big game from ‘THT’

Talen Horton-Tucker was in the middle of a slump heading into the Kansas game, having not scored double-digit points in the eight games since facing Drake on Dec. 15. 

So, naturally, he scored 39 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists against two top-25 teams. 

After his 16-point game at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Horton-Tucker went for 23 points on 11-for-18 shooting against the Rebels. 

Quickly becoming one of a few offensive focal points for the Cyclones, his ability to hit shots from all angles and fearlessness with the ball in his hands will be a boost to Iowa State’s already-high ceiling if he continues to come into his own.